The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djeli Clark is a fantasy novella set in an alternate early 20th century Cairo, where the world of djinn and other supernatural beings has made Egypt a world super-power, and two Agents of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and...
Wisdom From Kammbia Story Review 6: Ceiling by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
by MHill | Mar 23, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column, Wisdom of Kammbia Story Review
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been a writer that I've wanted to read for quite some time. I've had her novel, Americanah, in my Kindle library since 2020. Moreover, I have seen her other books like Half of a Yellow Sun, Purple Hibiscus, & We Should All Be...
What Modern Classic Would You Like To Rewrite?
by MHill | Mar 15, 2022 | Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I feel like stirring the pot with this blog post. I'm a regular podcast listener and one podcast I have become a fan of is Black & Published hosted by Nikesha Elise Williams. The most recent episode I listened to was with author Maurice Carlos Ruffin. Ruffin is a...
Wisdom From Kammbia Story Review 5: Galapago by Kali Fajardo-Anstine
by MHill | Mar 9, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorites, Short Story Review, Wisdom From Kammbia Column, Wisdom of Kammbia Story Review
I have stated recently that I'm reading more short stories as a part of my reading life. As much as I love reading novels, I'm appreciating the short story on its own terms. Last year, I read an excellent short story collection, Sabrina & Corina by Kali...
Wisdom From Kammbia Story Review 4: L’Alchimista by N.K. Jemisin
by MHill | Mar 5, 2022 | Black History Month, Marion's Favorites, Short Story Review, Wisdom of Kammbia Story Review
I have read a lot more short stories in the past year. I have always considered short stories the stepchildren of contemporary fiction. Novels are the alpha and omega for most contemporary fiction (literary & genre) readers. Novellas (short novels between...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 96: Black Titan by Carol Jenkins & Elizabeth Gardner Hines
by MHill | Feb 19, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Black History Month, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
"Athletes and musicians who have made millions in their industries deserve our respect, but it is critical that blacks understand that our history, and our (often neglected) successes, run deeper than that. All children need to be made familiar with images and...
Best Book Ever Podcast: Episode 83
by MHill | Jan 25, 2022 | Best Book Ever Podcast, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Octavia Butler, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
My second appearance on the Best Book Ever Podcast aired today. The host, Julie Strauss, and I discussed one of my all time favorite novels, Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. I have read this novel 3 times (when it first came in October 1993, then 10 years...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 95: The Wood Wife by Terri Windling
by MHill | Jan 13, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Marion's All-Time Favorite Novels, Marion's Favorite Books, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
In my previous post, I decided to give myself a reading challenge where I will read the books on my physical and digital shelves for this year. The goal of this reading challenge is to read more of what I already have instead getting something new. Also, I hope to...
Marion’s 2022 Reading Challenge
by MHill | Dec 30, 2021 | Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I have seen quite a few reading challenges on social media in the few past days. A new year is coming and readers are posting their challenges on how many books they want to read in 2022. Or what types of books they want to focus on reading in the new year and so...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 94: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
by MHill | Dec 28, 2021 | 2021 Book Reviews, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
After reading this first book of The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin, I have crossed two reading rules that I thought I would never break: 1) You must like the characters to enjoy a work of fiction 2) You must be able to relate to the characters in order to have...